Mt Kinabalu is the biggest highlight of Kinabalu Park, Malaysia’s first World Heritage site, designated by UNESCO in December 2000. Such is the importance of this mountain to Sabah that the capital was renamed Kota Kinabalu in 1964. Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in South East Asia. Its height has been given as 4,095 m (13,450 ft) above sea level. It is located in Kinabalu National Park on the Malaysian island of Borneo. 

The mountain features a large variety of flora, including wild pitcher plants and orchids. The Kinabalu National Park is blessed with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna that ranges over 4 climate zones. The park boasts the Rafflesia, the worlds largest flowering plant, pitcher plants and many bird species. Generally, Mt Kinabalu is open to trekkers throughout the year as Sabah being just off the equator generally enjoys regular rain, year round.

Before you climb:

On the mountain, the weather can change without warning from bright sunshine to misty, foggy, cloudy or torrential downpour. At night the temperatures can drop to minus zero, so do bring warm and extra clothing packed in plastic bags to keep it dry.

• For conservation purpose and climbers’ safety the number of climbers per day & night is restricted.

• Make sure you bring your sturdy walking boots with a good grip.

• Bring enough warm clothing. Wind and waterproof clothes for your climb are recommended.

• Sleeping bags are provided at the mountain huts.

• Take a bottle of drinking water with you. High-energy foods for the climb like chocolate, nuts, raisins or glucose sweets are also a good idea.

• Bring gloves, a hat and good small torchlight with new batteries.

• Normally , you will get wet on the way up, you will need a spare set of dry clothes.

• Some climbers do experience altitude sickness, be aware of the effect of altitude and check with your doctor for advice before you climb.

The Climb:
The main peak of the mountain can be climbed by a person with a good physical condition, and requires no mountaineering equipment. Other peaks along the massif, however, require rock climbing skills.It does not require special skills to do the climb, but you must have a good fitness level.

The Summit Trail for either  Mesilau and Timpohon starts from different points, with Mesilau being 2 km longer. They will both merge at one junction and from there its all the same to the resthouse. If  you take the Summit Trail route from the Park Headquarters  , it is 4 ½ km to Timpohon Gate at 1866m where the Summit Trail starts.Climbers proceed to the Timpohon gate, either by minibus or by walking. Later , walk to the Laban Rata hut at 3300 m (10,800 ft).  .Nearby lies Carson’s Falls where we rest for a while before embarking on the 2 to 5 hour climb depending on your fitness level to reach Laban Rata.

The trail winds up a steep staircase where pitcher plants and rhododendrons are plentiful. You’ll come upon the first Summit Trail shelter where on a clear day a view of the road that links Kota Kinabalu city to the Park can be seen. The Second shelter at 2081m, keep a look out for the oddly-shaped Low’s Pitcher Plant. The mossy forest continues on past to Karamborongoh who's name is derived from the local pant that the Dusun people use to ward off evil spirits. The Third Trail Shelter is further up the ridge.

As you climb higher, you will pass a forest of bent and twisted silvery-grey trunks with peeling bark. At about 3,200m, there’s a helipad where you can catch a magnificent view of the Summit Plateau. Look around for Paka Cave. This was where the first explorers slept.

Nearby is the Laban Rata resthouse and cafeteria where you’ll stay the night before continuing the climb the next morning.

The last part of the climb is on naked granite rock.  After a night of rest, it’s off again on the climb to catch a magnificent sunrise on the summit. We leave at about 3.00 am for a 3-hour trek in the dark, there are ladders, hand railings and ropes to help you over the steeper parts.Given the high altitude, some people may suffer from altitude sickness and should return immediately to the bottom of the mountain, as breathing and any further movement becomes increasingly difficult.

After an hour you’ll see the Sayat-Sayat Hut. At 3,668m, this is the visitor’s highest shelter on the mountain but it only provides basic facilities. Back on the climb, you will walk across the bare granite slabs that stretch endlessly ahead, in an eerie moonscape of stone.

You reach your final destination at Low’s Peak, the summit of Borneo at 4101m. As you wait in the cold, dawn gradually creeps over the horizon, illuminating the darkness with the light of a new day. In clear weather, you can almost see all of Sabah spread out below.

From this vantage point, you’ll also see a dramatic drop more than 1,000m down Low’s Gully. A chasm stretching 16km in length, it separates the summit plateau from the west and eastern plateaux. Other peaks visible on the mountain are Victoria’s Peak (4090m), Donkey Ears Peak (4054m), South Peak (3933m) and St. John’s Peak (4090m).

We generally descend before 10am before clouds begin to form and obstruct visibility.A typical descent from the summit is quick but is often equally painful as the ascent: knee joints, ankle joints and toes tend to suffer as the climbers descend 3000 m (9850 ft) in five hours.